Zenoxa Od 450 Mg (10 Tablets )

ZENOXA OD 450 MG (10 TABLETS) by INTAS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.

Name

• Brand Name: Zenoxa OD 450 MG, Zenoxa OD 450 Tablet SR
• Common Name: Oxcarbazepine (extended-release/once daily formulation)

Composition

• Active Ingredient: Oxcarbazepine 450 mg (Sustained Release)

Uses

Zenoxa OD 450 MG is an anti-epileptic medication primarily used to manage and prevent various types of seizures in individuals with epilepsy. It is prescribed for:

• Partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
• Seizure control and prevention.
• May also be prescribed for mood disorders and anxiety disorders.

Dosage and Administration

Zenoxa OD 450 MG is an "Once Daily" (OD) formulation, designed for single-dose administration per day.

• Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually once daily.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet, as this can affect its extended-release properties.
• Can be taken with or without food.
• Maintain a consistent routine by taking the tablet at the same time each day to ensure stable medication levels.
• Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider, as this can lead to increased seizure frequency.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness/Sleepiness
• Headache
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fatigue/Tiredness
• Stomach pain/Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Double vision/Changes in vision
• Low blood sodium levels (Hyponatremia), which can cause symptoms like headache, nausea, weakness, and confusion.

Serious Side Effects:

• Severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.
• Depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Precautions

• Pregnancy: Use with caution during pregnancy. Consult your doctor, who will assess benefits versus risks. Proper birth control measures should be taken.
• Breastfeeding: Use with caution. Zenoxa OD 450 MG may pass into breast milk and affect the baby. Consult your doctor.
• Alcohol: Avoid or limit alcohol consumption as it can increase drowsiness and sleepiness.
• Driving and Operating Machinery: This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Avoid activities requiring mental alertness until you know how it affects you.
• Kidney and Liver Impairment: Use with caution in patients with kidney problems (especially those with low sodium levels) and liver disease. Dosage adjustments and monitoring may be required.
• Low Sodium Levels: Exercise caution, as this medicine may increase the risk of hyponatremia. Report symptoms like nausea, headache, weakness, or confusion to your doctor.
• Drug Interactions: Zenoxa OD 450 MG may interact with other antiepileptic medicines (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine), oral contraceptives (reducing their effectiveness), and certain calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, amlodipine). Inform your doctor about all current medications.
• Children: Not recommended for children below six years due to lack of safety and efficacy data, though it may be used in children above 2 or 4 years under doctor's guidance depending on the specific use (monotherapy or adjunctive therapy).

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Ideally, store at room temperature, below 30°C (or between 10°C to 25°C).
• Keep out of sight and reach of children.
• Always check the expiry date before use and do not use if it has passed.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about ZENOXA OD 450 MG:

What is ZENOXA OD 450 MG used for?

ZENOXA OD 450 MG, which contains the active ingredient Oxcarbazepine, is primarily used to treat epilepsy. It is prescribed for managing partial-onset seizures, with or without secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, in adults and children. It can be used alone (monotherapy) or in combination with other anti-epileptic medications (adjunctive therapy).

How does ZENOXA OD 450 MG work?

Oxcarbazepine, the active ingredient, is an anticonvulsant that works by stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain. It does this by modulating voltage-sensitive sodium channels on nerve cells, which helps to prevent the excessive and abnormal firing of electrical impulses that lead to seizures.

What is the usual dosage for ZENOXA OD 450 MG?

As ZENOXA OD 450 MG is an "OD" (Once Daily or Extended Release) formulation, it is typically taken once a day. For adults, a common starting dose for extended-release oxcarbazepine is 600 mg once daily, which may be gradually increased by your doctor to a target range, often between 1200 mg and 2400 mg once daily. The exact dosage, including initial and maintenance doses, will be determined by your doctor based on your condition and response to treatment. It is crucial to follow your doctor's instructions precisely and not to adjust the dose without their guidance.

What are the possible side effects of ZENOXA OD 450 MG?

Common side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, double vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and difficulty with balance or coordination. A potentially serious side effect is a decrease in blood sodium levels (hyponatremia). More severe but less common side effects can include severe allergic reactions (e.g., skin rash, hives, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing, or Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome) and changes in mood or suicidal thoughts. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Is ZENOXA OD 450 MG safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy: Oxcarbazepine should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. Animal studies have shown evidence of fetal abnormalities, and it is structurally similar to a known human teratogen (carbamazepine). Uncontrolled seizures can also pose risks to both the mother and the baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss this with your doctor. Folic acid and Vitamin K1 supplementation might be recommended. Also, oxcarbazepine can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

Breastfeeding: Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite pass into breast milk in low concentrations. While some reports suggest it is moderately safe for breastfed infants, particularly older infants, with monitoring for drowsiness or poor weight gain, other sources advise caution. You and your healthcare provider should discuss whether you should take oxcarbazepine or breastfeed, as you may not be able to do both.

Can ZENOXA OD 450 MG be taken with other medications?

ZENOXA OD 450 MG can interact with several other medications. It may affect the levels and efficacy of other anti-epileptic drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine) and can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections, potentially leading to unplanned pregnancies. Combining it with other medications that cause drowsiness or dizziness (like alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, certain antidepressants, or antihistamines) can worsen these side effects. Diuretics (water pills) can increase the risk of low sodium levels. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin supplements you are taking.

What precautions should be taken while taking ZENOXA OD 450 MG?

Do not stop taking ZENOXA OD 450 MG suddenly, as this can lead to an increase in seizure frequency or more severe seizures. It may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or coordination problems, so avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Your doctor may monitor your blood sodium levels regularly, especially during the first few months of treatment. Inform your doctor if you have a history of kidney or liver disease. People of Asian descent may have a higher risk of severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis) and should be tested for the HLA-B*1502 genetic factor before starting treatment if possible.

What happens if a dose of ZENOXA OD 450 MG is missed?

If you miss a dose of ZENOXA OD 450 MG, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one, as this can increase the risk of side effects. If you are unsure what to do, contact your healthcare provider for advice.

How should ZENOXA OD 450 MG be stored?

Store ZENOXA OD 450 MG tablets at room temperature, typically between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), with excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Keep the medication in its original container, tightly closed, and protect it from excess heat and moisture. Extended-release tablets should also be stored away from light. If you have the oral suspension form (not specified for ZENOXA OD 450 MG, but generally applies to oxcarbazepine suspension), it should be used within 7 weeks of first opening the bottle.